The classic detached house is increasingly being criticised. High costs, high resource consumption and a lack of flexibility make this form of housing unattractive for many. Young people in particular who want to own their own home are faced with the challenge of finding alternative housing models.
Current figures confirm the change: in 2023, the number of building permits fell by 39 per cent. The reason is obvious: detached houses are land- and resource-intensive. While 25 such houses require around one hectare of land, 50 semi-detached houses or 160 flats in four-storey buildings could be built on the same area. And the construction costs are similarly high, averaging 2,500 to 3,500 euros per square metre. Apartment blocks are much more efficient. In addition, the purchase of a condominium is often significantly cheaper.
Young people who dream of owning their own four walls often find a successful combination of efficient use of space and the desire for privacy in a green setting in existing terraced houses and owner-occupied flats. New, contemporary living space can also be created by extending, converting and extending older houses.
Around 80 per cent of residential buildings in Germany are detached and semi-detached houses, most of which were built in the 1960s and 1970s. Many of these buildings are in need of modernisation. The solution lies in a more efficient use of space while maintaining a high level of living comfort for different phases of life. The housing of the future focuses on sustainability, flexibility and community. The focus is on innovative forms of construction that meet the challenges of space scarcity, climate protection and changing social needs.
The Federal Foundation of Baukultur is an independent organisation with the aim of making the built environment a public issue. With creative concepts and well thought-out approaches, the living space of tomorrow can be made more sustainable and at the same time more liveable. You can find examples of good building culture and new living concepts from all over Germany on the website www.bundesstiftung-baukultur.de.
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